Upcoming Programs, Events and News of Intensive Family Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Kristin Derlunas
Northern Virginia Family Service
Community/Media Relations
703-219-2123, kderlunas@nvfs.org

Intensive Family Services CONTACT:
Karen Zeller/ Intensive Family Services
703-219-2186, kzeller@nvfs.org

 

The following are a list of upcoming programs, events and news of the Intensive Family Service (IFS) division of Northern Virginia Family Service:

NVFS Special Foster Care/Therapeutic Respite Care summer training schedule announced
NVFS has summer training opportunities for those interested in becoming either a Special Foster or Therapeutic Respite Parent to a child with special needs.

“We hope that many families will find summer to be an especially good time to attend our 24 hours of training and become Foster/Respite Parents” said Maggie Wilkinson, training and placement supervisor. NVFS foster families and staff told Holton about their concerns for the future of older children transitioning out of foster care into independent living. They also talked about the need for more resources to support foster children and the on-going challenge of finding more foster families.

Summer sessions will be held from 6:30-9:30 p.m. on the following Thursdays: June 21, June 28, July 5, 12, 19 and 26; Aug. 2 and 9 at the NVFS Oakton offices. A light dinner will be provided.

Participants must be at least 21 and can be of any ethnicity or marital status. Special Foster Care Parents provide temporary, quality, family settings for children with special needs. As a result, these children have the opportunity to develop to their fullest potential.

The program serves children from birth to age 18 who have emotional, behavioral, physical or developmental needs that cannot be met in their own homes. NVFS caseworkers carefully match each child with an appropriate, trained foster family. Respite Care provides quality, short-term care, to children with special needs. The time commitment for Respite Parents can often be as infrequent as one weekend a month. If you are interested in becoming a Special Foster Parent or Therapeutic Respite Parent, call 703-219-2184 or email gnsaider@nvfs.org.

Established in 1924, Northern Virginia Family Service is a private, non-profit community service resource dedicated to helping individuals and families find new paths to self-reliance and brighter futures. Each year, NVFS helps more than 23,000 people find affordable housing, counseling and child care; access to low-cost medical and dental services; foster and respite care, job training; trauma recovery; and much more. For more information, visit www.nvfs.org.

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